Zoas and palys stretching?

[turbo21]

I ahve noticed that in the last week alot of my z's and p's are stretching (getting longer and skinnier). I dont think its a lighting issue i have leds on my tank, and the palys at different heights are showing the same thing.

about a week and a half ago we did a major change in aquascaping and have huge mound of rock on the right side that goes all the way to the surface. the flow to some of theses areas is definitely lower, I have also been trying to bring down my p04 levels slowly.

levels went from .025 to undetectible.

so my questions are, can low flow or low p04 cause stretching?

thanks

bob

 

[Pebbo]

In my experience zoas stretch to obtain a missing element, whether that be nutrients in the water or light.

Low flow can lead to stretching, high flow will lead to elongated lashes/skirts.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

What kind of leds are you using? usually low light leads to stretching.

 

[turbo21]

What kind of leds are you using? usually low light leads to stretching.

i have 92 bridgelux 3w leds over my tank. they sit 8" off of the water. i have been running these lights for 8 months and no issues. i have candy apple reds that were 6" under the surface (14") from the lights that are stretching.

bob

 

[ca2or]

Gonna have to agree....zoas stretching is usually stretching for light......mine barely expand all the way under LED

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Bridgelukes are innefficient, but should do the trick. Try increasing the flow, or driving the leds higher, if they are dimmed.

 

[turbo21]

Bridgelukes are innefficient, but should do the trick. Try increasing the flow, or driving the leds higher, if they are dimmed.

i have had no problem with the lights the are driven at 100% and i am growing a little bit of everything in my tank, most of the z'sand p's i'm talking about have been fragged many times because of the growth i have. all my sps and lps look fine, just the 50 or so variations of zoas. i am running out to get some carbon (only have very small amount left)

here is my build thread, where you can see some pics of my tank a few weeks ago

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/66817-turbos-220-a-4.html

bob

 

[peppip]

my fire and ice zoas stretched once ever and that was to get closer to the light. i left them alone and they simply moved slowly and then shrunk back to normal when they found the spot they were happy with. was neat.

 

[hermesfansf]

my vivid rainbow stretches even though they are under MH lighting directly and high flow. How can u guys explain this.........

 

[xcorallusx]

cleaner water allows the light to penetrate better, and with dirtier water, the lights are not as strong.

 

[turbo21]

I added a bunch of carbon and changed the gfo, and did a 45% water change and things seem to be settling down. Scary that being down 2 weeks for back surgery and the tank was headed down hill fast.

bob

 

[cdness]

Typically I'd say light is the issue in some way.

Adding carbon will "polish" the water allowing the light to penetrate better.

 

[arch85]

the more I read the more I learn! Now I've salinity to check AND carbon + gfo to add! (sorry -- my zoas have been doing the same stretch thing)

Thanks!

 

[Tenor]

Good salt mixed could make the zoas stress and open larger...

 

[GuvNa-Ci-H2o]

qq yq

 

[NickRile]

The first Zoas in my tank have stretched quite a bit (upper right of photos) they were already a bit long when I first got them, but even tho they have stretched, they seem quite happy ‍

 

[danschoenherr]

As already said, increasing the flow should help and the addition of new carbon results in clearer water, which in turn, lets more light penetrate.
Be careful with bottoming out your PO4.......Ive found my zoas need some to be happy.

 

[SauceyReef]

The palys in my tank are all stretching for more light. I have AI Prime 16 HD. It is quite annoying actually because I dont want to raise my PAR at all. Even the ones on the frag holder 2" from the water surface are stretching for more light at near 300 par... And being blasted by flow